By Christine June

U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- The U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern and 435th Air Base Wing are working together to mark the celebration of November as the Month of the Military Family.

For the first time, the garrison's Army Community Service and Ramstein Airman and Family Readiness Center are sponsoring special events - either free or organized specifically for the observation - throughout the month.

"It's the Month of the Military Family - not just the Air Force or Army families, but for all military families," said Gayle Brinkley, the Ramstein Airman and Family Readiness Center flight chief. "(The two agencies working together) is a great way to bring all families together regardless of military branch."

The kick-off event took place Friday at the Kid's Zone on Pulaski Barracks. It showcased free activities, games and contests, and each child there received a gift.

Michelle Jones was there at the kick-off event with her 4-year-old daughter, Maliah.

"It's great," said Jones, as Maliah was coloring in the "My Mommy Fights for Freedom Coloring and Activity Book" provided at the event. "A great way to celebrate what is most important to us - our families."

While there, Jones, who had never before participated in a community event like this, found out about the other MOMF activities. In fact, she made sure she had a copy of the flyer.

Skate Night is the next event, happening 6 p.m. Friday at the Vogelweh Skate Express, and offers free roller skating for the entire family. Organized specifically for this observation, Family Bingo is 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Kazabra Club on Vogelweh. Rounding out the month activities is the Family Beach Party, offering free admission, 5 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Aquatic Center on Ramstein Air Base.

"All Air Force and Army families are together all the time here in this community," said Selinda Torbert, the ACS outreach coordinator. "It just makes good sense to work together in celebrating military families."

Torbert also made the observation that the Army Family Covenant recognizes "...The strength of our Soldiers (service members) comes from the strength of their families."

Called "Boots on the Ground," the Army Family Covenant is a pledge from Army leadership to Soldiers and their families that they deserve a quality of life equal to their service to their country. 

Events like these here will be replicated in many forms at bases throughout the military, as the Armed Services Young Men's Christian Association marks the program's 13th year. Formerly, November was noted as the Month of the Military Child, which is now observed in March.